Someone stop me!

Just within the last 12 hours or so, I've completely leapt into New World Technology...Facebook AND Twitter. Like I have the time for those...just like I have enough time for the kids, the pets, the house, and doing all the things I want to do like sewing and making things and blogging and volunteering up at the school. I gotta at least try it though-I just hope I can figure it all out. Not so sure about the Twitter thing.

So, since my last blog over a month ago, I've had another kidney stone and a kidney infection; Claire had strep throat that went into Scarlet Fever; Steven's dad had another heart attack and has a stint in some artery somewhere and is on dialysis because his kidneys are failing; I made dinner once; I got a 'gig' at a local theater making some costumes and working the music for their most recent play; and...we've added a new member to the family...Daisy! (Just a day in the life, folks!)

Lucy, meet Daisy...


This is just one little part of a game we ("we" meaning me, Lucy and Daisy) call 'Playing Puppies'. It's a great game!


Daisy was rescued by Animal Control from a very poorly run 'puppy mill', and was then resuced from Animal Control (which is a kill shelter) by Tess' K9 Rescue here in San Antonio. Well really, Daisy's mommy was rescued and no one knew at the time that she was pregnant, so surprise, surprise for her foster family! lol! Four or five puppies were in that litter (I can't remember exactly how many) and they are part Schnauzer and part Poodle. I do know that there were 3 females that were whitish and one that was definitely a grey Schnauzer. They are all adorable and they had no problem placing the puppies! Sue, the wonderful lady who runs Tess' K9 Rescue said they had 1500, yes that's one THOUSAND five HUNDRED emails from people wanting to adopt! Somehow we won the lottery and ended up with Daisy! She is just so much fun to have around and I think it is good for Lucy also...she was a little wary the first week or so, and I think worried about her "spot" in the family, but now they are friends and we all play puppies every morning! Daisy thinks she is a real human baby, though. See the proof? This is her sleeping in my arms just like a real human baby would.



Also, when she wants me to pick her up, she comes over and stands up on her hind legs with her front paws resting on my leg! No...not spoiled at all!

OH! I can't believe I forgot about this! We FINALLY got a diagnosis of 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' for Ethan! Technically, he falls in the Asperger's range, but for school and medical purposes they just use the general umbrella, which is perfectly fine with me. It just took them 11 years to figure out what I knew within 2 months of his birth. I am SO over doctors and their degrees...don't even get me started. They would get a lot more respect if they would listen to a child's mother every once in a while. Anyway...this opens up a lot of doors for him that were not open before, and he is now eligible for therapies, mostly social, that he did not qualify for earlier. His school has been wonderful, though! They have always tried their best to work with him on his severe social disabilities but this will make it even better. Only problem...only one more year in elementary school before he goes into middle school! Yikes! For so many reasons I want him to stay at the elementary school, where he feels comfortable and he knows everyone and everyone knows him, and they all work so hard to do and get what is best for him. Middle school, even for the most well-adjusted kids, might as well be another planet! I can only imagine Ethan being there. Look out Mr. Middle School Principal! Here comes Ethan and His Mom! lol!

Now...reading back over this post and really looking at everything that has gone on in the last month...this IS NOT a pity post! We are all fine and well, and seriously, it really is "just a day in the life"! But I haven't gotten anything remotely artsy OR crafty done, and I'm not sure I've even been in my office/studio except to check emails every few days...or weeks! lol! I did have to sew a button back on one of my shirts that came off Friday night, and that's as close as I have come to a needle and thread in a month.

NEXT WEEKEND: another great art retreat at Susie's! Cannot wait-definitely lots of art will be happening there!

Another "Happy Birthday"!

This was my very first baby. Well, she still is and always will be, actually. BUT...




My baby Allison is 15 years old today! I have a knot in my stomach. When she turned 10, and got into "double digits" it didn't bother me. When she turned 13 and was an Official Teenager it didn't bother me. But 15! OMG-she might as well be 20! Even though I've always told her she couldn't get her driver's license until she graduated from college, she truly believes she can go sign right up for Driver's Ed.! I told her there really is no point because she won't be able to use any of that information for quite a few years, because, she will be going to UTSA after high school, and Steven works RIGHT NEXT DOOR to UTSA, so he can drop her off in the morning and pick her up in the evenings, so see...there really is no reason for her to drive at all!

But, maybe I should rethink that...I'll let her get her license but, she can only go as far as Target, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks. And that's it! lol! Oh, just thought of another benefit...she can take Ethan to his doctor's appointments...you have to take the good with the bad, you know!

One more brag on her, because she is the best daughter ever-just don't tell Claire that-but...get this...Allison was accepted into the National Honor Society!(?!?) MY daughter? MY daughter. OK, I'll give Steven some credit too, I guess. She is so much like him! So smart! I'm like, OK smart, but they are REALLY smart. Plus, I had better things to do in High School than learn stuff! Well, maybe I'm really smart too, but more in a common sense kind of way...I just keep it on the down low. I just cruised by making B's and C's, and not letting anyone know I could do better if I had actually cracked a book. That way, I did ok in school, didn't cause any trouble, and when I did bring home an A or two, everyone was so excited! Kinda the best of both worlds. Anyway...

CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON-one, for being you. Two, for hanging in with me this long. I know it hasn't always been easy, but we both learned a lot together, and I'm a better Mom because of you. I love you!

Well, I have a few other pictures for you but Blogger is being a butt. Pictures of Claire at her performance, pictures of curtains, and a pictures of a log cabin pattern I am sewing entirely by hand to make a pillow for the sofa. Blogger has different plans though, I guess, because it won't let me upload any more pictures. I totally need to blog more often so I can keep everyone up to date on things because I know all 3 of you are just waiting with baited breath, and not have to do it in one HUGE post.

One more point of interest though...check out Malka Dubrawsky's blog (I really hope I spelled that right!) A Stitch in Dye. She lives in Austin-my MOST FAVORITE CITY IN THE WORLD JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW- and makes the most beautiful cloth you have ever seen and is a complete inspiration to me-she does everything I want to do but don't have the time for-- but, her post today is about the Sun. Apparently, every 28 years the Sun is in the exact position it was when it was first created, and today is that day. I find it amazing that somethng like that can be tracked, and it was definitely my 'something new' to learn about today. If you have time, browse around her blog and check out her stuff: It will be time well spent! One thing you have to see is her 'Wee Little Photo Shoot' and her 'Twinkle Quilt'. The Twinkle Quilt is so absolutley gorgeous and the quilts in the 'Wee Little Photo Shoot'...well, the colors take my breath away! Just click on that link and scroll down. They are both on that page, along with other beautiful things. I'm quite sure that Malka doesn't know me from Adam but, she is one of those ' On a Pedistal Artists' for me, just like Susie Monday...which is a whole other post but just real quick...I get to do a few more artist retreats with her starting this month and probably going every month through the Summer! I absolutely cannot WAIT until next weekend!!!

I can't believe it's April 3!

And I really can't believe I haven't posted since February 25! Guess the brain really was numb. Plus we had Spring Break in there...like it was really 'Spring'...I took the kids to Houston to visit my mom and dad, and that was the week that Houston decided to have Winter. It rained the entire time we were there, LITERALLY, and it got really cold! Down into the 30's at night and high's were only in the 40's during the day. Of course, we only had flip-flops and shorts and t-shirts. Except Ethan, who actually left our house without shoes, so I had to stop on the way and get him a pair. (I know, that seems to happen a lot around here.)

Since then, hmmmm...it's all a blur really. Seems like everything goes nonstop. Plus, I got a really bad cold and took ONE dose of NyQuil which completely knocked me out for an ENTIRE weekend. No lie. Then I had that sexy Marge Simpson voice going for a few days. Got my regular voice back yesterday but then had to take Ethan to the doctor because he has an ear infection. Or, as he described it, "I think a hornet AND a yellow jacket both got in my ear and stung me!" Poor thing, but he always has a great discription.

And today is actually Steven's 40th Birthday! Now that he is 40, I can no longer deny being in my 40's. Which I really never do, but I seem so much younger in my head...like 22! lol! Anyway, back to Steven's birthday...I have NO IDEA what to get him. So yesterday I asked him if he wanted me to cook anything special for dinner. When he was finished laughing and choking and falling on the floor, he said, "Well, I had never really considered that option. I just thought we'd go out for Mexican food." Good decision, hun! But I'm feeling just a little sorta Betty-ish, like maybe I want to make a cake or something. I don't know...it's a whole new feeling so I'm not sure what it is, but that might be it. Or cupcakes maybe. Ooooo! Cupcakes mean I could go to Michael's and get some cute accessories! Cupcakes it is, then!

And after living in this house for almost 4 years, I actually have curtains on almost every window now, because my mom was here for a few days. Of course, I still gotta get pictures of that.

I also have a funny 'Conversation with Claire' from Sunday...

*Claire was playing at a friend's house, and called home to ask a question*

Telephone ringing...

Me: Hello?

Claire: Mom. Is it ok if I go to Jenna's church with her? Don't worry, I won't pray or anything! She just has to pick up her soccer uniform.

Me: (in Old Jewish Lady from New York City Voice, like I really teach my kids NOT to pray!) Gawd fa-bid tha pray-ing!

Claire: Huh?

Me: (laughing) Yes, you can go, it's fine with me.

Claire: (to Jenna) She said Yes!!! (little girls screaming in backround)
But Mom! Don't worry, I won't pray or anything!

She hangs up the phone, and leaves me wondering what the hell Jenna's mom is thinking right about then....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVEN! WE LOVE YOU!

My brain? It is numb.

For real. I can feel the tingling in there.

We had Ethan's ARD meeting today. It started at 8:30am, and we didn't get out of there until a little after 1:00pm! Definitely our longest ARD ever, and for all I know, it could be THE longest ARD ever. But once again, I have to give BIG KUDOS to the school-they are always looking for ways to help Ethan and go so far out of their way to make his days better. For example: a big problem for Ethan is lunchtime in the cafeteria. It is so, so loud in there, every single kid is yelling (approx. 350-400 students) and it is nothing but a huge echo chamber. He is extremely sensitive to loud noises and that combined with the fact that they have to sit so close together that he is always getting touched (another sensitivity problem) that he usually ends up having a huge meltdown. So, in order to combat that and make his day less stressful, he eats lunch with one of the Vice-Principals, who he is very close to and has a great relationship with, every single day, in his office! Now certainly, I'm sure that Mr. VP has more important things he could be doing, but nope, he takes that time out of his day to sit down with Ethan and have lunch. That alone brings tears to my eyes. Earlier this week, both of the Vice-Principals, his Special Ed. teacher, his Speech Therapist and one of the counselors all got Ethan and took him outside and tried to teach him how to play Foursquare. They just got the Foursquare thing painted out in one of the parking lots, and they were using it to try and teach him how to follow rules in a game and how to lose gracefully and that it is OK to lose.

Ethan is actually a General Education student...he just gets pulled out for a couple of things he needs extra help with. That Foursquare thing was just spur of the moment...Mr. O., the Mr. VP Ethan has such a great relationship with, decided to round up a few adults and go and do this with Ethan. Really, I couldn't ask for a better school and/or a better staff! Every single person who works there is there because they love kids and want to teach them and help them become better people/responsible adults. And I am so, so grateful to them all every single day!

Sorry I haven't had any pictures for the last couple of posts...Ethan had an appointment with the Psychiatrist on Monday, then I had an appointment with MY Psychiatrist on Tuesday, after which I drove straight to Border's Bookstore and spent 2 hours looking at books! I ended up leaving with the latest issue of 'Craft' with Amy Sedaris on the cover (who TOTALLY cracks me up!), along with a couple of other magazines and several books and a CD with the soundtrack of 'Annie'. The 'Annie' soundtrack is for Claire. Yep. Well, she may not know about it yet, but really, I plan to play it for her a lot in the Jeep while we are driving around.
And ssshhhhhhhhh! Don't tell Steven I bought all of these books...he hasn't realized it yet.

Guess I Needed To Catch Up On My Sleep!

I didn't abandon you...I just fell asleep. I've been sleeping for like, three days. No wait, I think four.

Remember how I talked about baking? Well...that didn't happen, of course. Nothing goes as planned around here, and you should know that by now.

So here's the story...I had planned ahead. Steven had gotten a few boxes of brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil and a roll of Pillsbury peanut butter cookies, all for me to make for the Staff Appreciation Day on Thursday at the elementary school that Ethan and Claire go to. I ended up falling asleep after I dropped Allison off at school Wednesday morning, and didn't wake up until 2:30. I have to pick the kids up at three, so no baking during the prime hours. I DO NOT make stuff like that when they are home and awake because they want to eat it, so I decided to wait until they went to bed to make everything.

Ethan and Claire are finally asleep, so I'm getting everything ready but, I can't find the vegetable oil. I know for a fact it WAS THERE at some point, but now it is nowhere to be found.

Come to find out, Allison's art class has been doing linoleum printing and she had gotten a little bit of ink on her shirt. Her teacher told her it was permanent and wouldn't come out, but, she remembered the teacher telling them if they spilled it on the table or whatever to use vegetable oil to wipe it up. So...she decided to go ahead and try it on her shirt. The. Whole. Bottle. She put her shirt in her bathroom sink and poured in the Whole. Bottle. of oil, then got an old toothbrush and started scrubbing. Believe it or not, it worked! Then she used some regular soap to wash that out. Her shirt was saved but no brownies were being made.

Oh well, I'll just make the cookies. It's ten o'clock at night anyway; this will be quick and easy; lots of other people are bringing stuff too, so we'll have enough.

*whistling while I'm heading to the fridge...

Open up the refridgerator door, grab the roll of cookie dough, but, oh no! It's only HALF A ROLL! Someone had EATEN HALF. OF. THE. ROLL. OF. COOKIE. DOUGH.

I hate to name names but, I will say that this person's name rhymes with "Ballison."

I had to be at school Thursday morning at 7:45, so there was no baking happening before then. I did get to go and pass out other treats and hot chocolate to a bunch of teachers and all of the office and cafeteria staff, and that was a lot of fun. We are very lucky to have such a great bunch of people working at our school!

Pretty much slept all day Friday, too. Ethan had a doctor's appointment that afternoon, so I was awake for a little while...and was even planning to go to Yarnivore, our cool local yarn shop, to knit and hang out and watch Kristin do a spinning demo (!) that I had been looking forward to for the last two weeks but, guess what I did instead. That's right! I FELL BACK ASLEEP! I needed it though...Spring Break is coming soon, and I gotta get ready!

Also, I did not forget about the 'Name That Dressform' Contest. If I hadn't been asleep for the last four days, I could have made something already but...just more time to get the word out right? I might get like, 6 comments!

I am going to make the prize (I already know what I'm going to make, I just have to stay awake long enough to make it) take a picture and get it going. Somebody give me a wake-up call in the morning!

The Big Reveal...and more!

Here's the Big Reveal of my Super Find at the Paper Bear shop in San Marcos:

This may not be a big deal to others, but, I have been looking for a cool dressform for a really long time! And I have found some...but then I can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on them when I have 3 kids, several Psychologists, Therapists, a Psychiatrist, and soon to be an Orthodontist to support.

***All of you thinking about having kids: be aware that they come with many accessories!

Anyway, I fell in love with her at first sight and she was only $95 dollars. Since I didn't get anything for Valentine's Day from Steven, this was my gift to myself. Now I just have to name her. I have a few ideas, but nothing seems to stick. Any ideas, anyone? Hey! I have an idea! I'll have a "Name My Dressform" Contest, and send out a little something for the winner! I've never had a contest before and now I'm all excited! OK-give me a day or two to come up with a prize, then I'll open it up. Start spreading the word, tell all of your friends, then tell them to tell two friends...lol!

Hey MOM! You CAN COMMENT you know! All you have to do is click on the "Anonymous" button, then after you type in your comment, just sign it "Mom" so I know who it's from. Everybody else's Mom's comment on their blogs, ya know. I feel really left out and unloved. :D

Check this out: I am actually making a dress, for Claire, all on my own! I have never actually made clothing from start to finish by myself. I always saved the hard parts...like button holes, bias tape, zippers, etc... for my mom who was constantly begging, "Please, Lauri! Start something you can't finish then hand it all over to me! It's my favorite thing!"

See, if you don't comment, you can't defend yourself....

So I started this last night:

It's a short dress/long shirt that she can wear with leggings or jeans, and a t-shirt underneath. You are probably asking, "Lauri, did you actually use a pattern???". Well, I started out with one. I have wanted to make something like this for her for a while now, and finally found a pattern that was close enough to what I wanted, and easy for me to customize. Well, the pattern instructions may as well have been written in Japanese for all I could understand. Wait. Actually, I have tons of Japanese Craft books and I can follow those easier than I can this pattern. It made no sense. Plus, the little cutout arrows that you are supposed to be able to line up? There must have been a big misprint on either the front or the back pattern pieces, as they were several inches apart, and it I followed those, there would have been serious problems with the neck and armholes!

This pattern also called for bias tape around the neck and armholes. I have never done that. And the directions and illustrations were apparently written and drawn by aliens, and made no sense at all. So...I finally just scrapped the pattern, lined up the shoulders and armholes, and sewed the front and back together. Then I did my own thing with the bias tape. Whatever it was that I came up with worked great! I got the neckline and one armhole done, and then it was about 1:00 am and I couldn't even see anymore. Plus it was looking really huge and I wanted Claire to try it on before I got too much more into it, incase I needed to make adjustments.
Getting her to stand still was like pulling teeth!


I made it off of a size 8 because I would like it to last a little bit...she is going through a major growth spurt and is now 50" tall! She's almost up to my shoulders and she's only in First Grade!

Anyway, I do like the length, the armholes fit well, but it seems a little bit big along the neckline. Oh well, if that's the lease of my worries I'm doing good. If you notice in the first picture of it above, on the dress form, there is some pink coordinating fabric that I am going to use to add a ruffle along the bottom, as well as 2 pockets. You gotta have pockets! I remember making my mom add pockets to everything she made me! The thing is, I have this idea for the pocket I want, but, of course there is no pattern, so I'm going to have to work it out on paper. I'll let you know how it goes.

Now I need to get back to my baking...yes, I said "baking". It's for the Staff Appreciation Day at the elementary school tomorrow. Hmmm...baking and sewing all in the same day?!? What is happening to me, people?!?

A Sign of the Time

You know it's Valentine's Day when you find signs like this posted around your house! She didn't specify who to hug, or when and where the 'Hug Fest' is being held but, I happen to know they were posted by Claire...and maybe we are just supposed to hug her anytime and anywhere. Sounds like a great idea in general. She may just be the answer to World Peace.

I also wanted to show off this new little birdie...I took another class with the Lovely Leslie last week. It was the "Felt Fun" class and she had TONS of ideas of things to make from birds to baby booties to bags and pouches and to jewelry. I made her...


She likes to hop and bop around, especially on this old gumball machine! What she doesn't know is that is full of sea glass, not gumballs. Or birdfood.



She was so much fun, that she inspired me to make this one for Claire's teacher for Valentine's Day...

She turned out kinda funky. I started out with the red and white theme, then decided that she needed something to hang from, so I started adding beads. And now, because of a long story that I will skip for now, anything I make for Claire's teacher HAS TO have vintage buttons on it, so I added those to the wings and hanging from the bottom. I added the little heart charm and bead for the finishing touch. I hope she likes it, if for nothing else than for the vintage buttons.


Now we are off to pick up the Valentine's Day present I picked out for myself. Hope your Valentine's Day is full of Love!